Psychology Teacher

<h2 id="section---IsACareerAsAPsychologyTeacherForMe">Is a Career as a Psychology Teacher for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOptions">Career Options</h3> <p>Prospective <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Psychology_Teacher_Career_and_Salary_FAQs.html">psychology teachers</a> can choose to focus in many different areas, including developmental and child psychology, abnormal, experimental, cognitive and neuroscience and historical perspectives in psychology. If you'd rather reach out to younger students and not go on towards a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology, secondary school teaching careers will suit you better. If, however, you enjoy rigorous coursework, academic writing and experimental studies in addition to teaching, then postsecondary education may fit you best. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentInformation">Employment Information</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most secondary school teachers had an annual <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_the_Starting_Pay_for_Teachers.html">salary</a> between $36,930 and $85,690 in 2012 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Additionally, most postsecondary psychology teachers made between $35,780 and $119,210 in 2012. At the postsecondary level, jobs for psychology teachers are expected to increase by 14% between 2012 and 2022, a growth rate the BLS considered to be average compared to all other occupations, while high school teachers were expected to see six percent growth during this period, which is slower than average. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIBecomeAPsychologyTeacher">How Can I Become a Psychology Teacher?</h2> <h3 id="section---EducationAndLicensingForSecondaryTeachers">Education and Licensing for Secondary Teachers</h3> <p>Courses in a psychology teacher education program address subjects such as child psychology, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_is_Developmental_Psychology.html">developmental psychology</a>, personality and cognition. In both on-campus and online programs, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Core_Courses_of_an_Online_Psychology_Bachelors_Degree_Program.html">core classes</a> in psychology are taken alongside courses for educators covering teaching methodology and the learning process. </p> <p>Degrees leading to a career as a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Are_the_Requirements_to_be_a_High_School_Psychology_Teacher.html">high school psychology teacher</a> include a bachelor's degree in psychology with a secondary school education minor or a bachelor's degree in secondary education focusing on social science. State licensing is also required for high school teachers working in public schools. Many secondary school psychology teachers also receive a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Master%27s_Degrees_in_Education_and_Teaching.html">master's degree in education</a> or a master's degree in psychology, both of which can enhance your salary. Obtaining a master's degree in education while working as a teacher is even required by some states. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndLicensingForPostsecondaryTeachers">Education and Licensing for Postsecondary Teachers</h3> <p>Prospective college professors and instructors are typically required to complete a doctoral program in general psychology or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Popular_Career_Options_in_Educational_Psychology.html">educational psychology</a>. Doctoral students in one of these programs take classes relating to research and quantitative experimental methods. Students also submit a dissertation based on independent research of a subject that interests them within psychology or education. </p> <p>Becoming a licensed and practicing psychologist or having knowledge in other fields, such as sociology and philosophy, will help to broaden your teaching experience. Completion of a Ph.D. in psychology can take at least five years.</p>